A former senior staff member of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry has addressed the ‘demon’ claims that have recently emerged.

The former chief operating officer of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Archewell Foundation has lifted the lid on her experiences working for the couple.

Mandana Dayani worked for the Sussexes for 18 months between 2021 and 2022 and despite leaving her post two years ago has spoken out about her previous bosses. It comes after allegations appeared in a US report that Meghan “belittles people” and “doesn’t take advice” with claims it has earned her the nickname “Duchess Difficult”.

But Ms Danyani has painted a very different picture of working for Meghan saying she is still close friends with the Duchess, who put her at ease and treated her to incredible lunches when welcoming her to her Montecito home.

Speaking to US Weekly, she said: “Some of my favourite memories were during our weekly meetings in their Montecito home, where Meghan always served the most incredible lunches, snacks and her latest beautiful concoction.”

The former COO also says Meghan was a calming influence when she attended her first huge gala event and explained: “I walked into their room [and found] Meghan finishing her own makeup and steaming her jumpsuit. We all toasted with a sip of champagne while Meghan danced to her favourite oldies playlist.”

And she says that she still remains close to her former boss and said: “Just last week, as Meghan and I were planning our next lunch, I told her how excited I was to pick her brain on my latest ventures. These are kind, decent, caring people who I am very proud to call my friends.”